Medical worker accused of sexually abusing young patient

Medical worker accused of sexually abusing young patient

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Utah) – A medical worker at Primary Children's Medical Center is facing some serious charges. The worker is accused of sexually assaulting an 11 year old patient.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Utah) – A medical worker at Primary Children's Hospital is facing some serious charges. The worker is accused of sexually assaulting an 11 year old patient.

The medical worker at Primary Children's Hospital, accused of molesting a patient, is now behind bars. The Salt Lake County District Attorney tells Reporter Brian Carlson that 22 year old Medical Technician David Elijah Jensen sexually abused an 11 year old boy.

"The defendant admitted that he was working there and had sexual contact with this 11 year old child who was recovering," said Sim Gill, Salt Lake County District Attorney.

According to the charging documents, last week the young patient was at Primary's recovering from a medical procedure. The victim said during the night Jensen came into his room, lifted up his hospital gown and touched his quote - "private parts" among other things.

"How many times did this happen?” Carlson asked.

“At least a couple of times," said Gill.

As disturbing as this case may sound, Gill said it's not unique. He said sexual crimes against children are a huge problem in Salt Lake County.

"Our Special Victims Unit unfortunately has too much work to do, and we unfortunately see a litany of cases that have child victims and child sexual victims," said Gill.

For the case against David Jensen, Gill said he's facing some serious charges.

"Two first degree felonies: sodomy upon a child and aggravated sexual abuse of a child," said Gill.

Jensen is being held at the Salt Lake County Jail. He’s facing up to 15 years in prison. So far, It's unclear if there are any other victims.

Primary Children's sent ABC 4 Utah the following statement:

"Primary Children’s Hospital staff and physicians were devastated to receive a report of sexual assault of a patient by an employee. The employee, David E. Jensen, was immediately suspended, subsequently terminated and has been arrested. He worked at the hospital since September 2011, first as a volunteer, then as an employee.

The idea that one of our own employees would harm a patient violates every principle of this hospital, its physicians and staff members, who have devoted their lives to caring for children. We have expressed our profound regrets and apologies to the family. We continue to offer them Primary Children’s support and services. We are deeply grateful for the courage of those who reported this to us and for the immediate response of law enforcement with whom we are working closely.

The safety of our patients is our highest priority. We are reminding everyone to continue to be vigilant and to report any concern they may have.

We remain committed to maintaining a safe, healing environment for all children."

-------Follow Brian Carlson on Twitter: @briancarlsontv

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